Modular Centrifugal Rotor With Rounded Channels and Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) devices face issues with non-homogeneous liquid dispersion due to flexible seals creating right angles, pressure drops in rectangular channels, thermal regulation challenges, hydraulic shocks, and fixed cell volumes leading to suboptimal separation times and solvent consumption.
Innovation Solution
A universal rotor design with interchangeable circular sectors and connecting connectors, allowing adjustable cell numbers and thermal control, featuring channels with rounded edges and integrated valves for flexible operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If flexible sealing gaskets are used between discs to close cells and channels, then sealing is achieved, but liquid dispersion becomes non-homogeneous and molecules are adsorbed/desorbed limiting purity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional flat disc design with a curved, cylindrical rotor body. The cells and channels are integrated into this curved surface, eliminating the need for flat sealing planes. The rounded geometry ensures homogeneous liquid dispersion throughout the rotor, preventing the formation of dead zones and improving mass transfer efficiency while maintaining reliable sealing through the curved integration of components.
2Stress or pressure
If rectangular channels are used to connect cells, then pressure drop is reduced, but channel volume increases and separation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved, cylindrical channels instead of rectangular ones. The rounded geometry reduces flow resistance and minimizes pressure drops while maintaining compact dimensions. The curved path optimizes fluid dynamics, allowing efficient material transport through the rotor without requiring excessive channel volume, thus reducing separation time while maintaining low pressure losses.
3Strength
If rotor disc mass is increased for structural strength, then mechanical strength is improved, but thermal regulation precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes a composite structure combining a lightweight cylindrical rotor body with strategically placed reinforcing elements. The main rotor body is designed with optimized wall thickness to provide sufficient mechanical strength while minimizing mass. Thermal regulation is enhanced through integrated cooling channels and heat exchange surfaces that efficiently dissipate heat without requiring excessive material, achieving both structural integrity and precise thermal control.
4Ease of manufacture
If fixed cell volumes are used in rotor design, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different injection volumes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the rotor body into multiple modular cell units that can be independently configured. Each cell is a standardized module with consistent manufacturing specifications, simplifying production. However, the number and arrangement of these modular cells can be adjusted to create different rotor configurations suitable for various injection volumes and separation requirements, thereby achieving both manufacturing simplicity and operational adaptability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise thermal regulation, reduces pressure drops, prevents hydraulic shocks, and optimizes cell usage for efficient separation and reaction processes, enhancing productivity and adaptability.
Implementation Method 1
the rotation of the stack creates a significant centrifugal acceleration field which makes it possible, for example, to maintain a liquid phase, called stationary, fixed, while a mobile phase percolates said stationary phase
Implementation Method 2
if the injected volume is increased beyond a certain value relative to the volume of the cells, a hydraulic shock phenomenon appears, commonly called 'water hammer' which partially or totally destroys the hydrodynamic balance
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Rotor for all systems used to circulate various single-phase or multiphase fluids, ranging from organic or non-organic solvents to CO2 in a liquid or supercritical phase in cells connected to each other by channels, the assembly being subjected to adjustable centrifugal acceleration and comprising precision temperature control for chemical or biochemical reactions and extractions, and purification and separation reactions and, for use in chemical and biochemical reactors, such a rotor being formed of one or more discs stacked on top of each other, each being made up of circular sectors (A3) consisting of a circular half-sector (10) and a circular half-sector (11), each being the mirror image of the other relative to the plane (28) of the circular half-sector (10) after they have been assembled opposite each other in a sealed manner. Their half-channels having respective links (18A and 19B) form a link channel when the half-sectors (10 and 11) are joined.